Post by Shawn on Apr 3, 2010 17:27:48 GMT -5
I need amounts actually.
My neighbor called and had a brockle faced calf born (pulled) to a heifer and she wants nothing to do with him. So I brought him home. He was just born this afternoon, so I know I got him soon enough, colostrum wise. He was almost dried off, but not quite. The sun is bright and warm today and he was laying in the sun.
His head and front feet are very swollen. Poor baby's head was so swollen he looks like a rabbit! He had some blood in his mouth. But his teeth are really big. I think he must have been way overdue. His front feet are knuckled under, but I figure that will sort itself out when the swelling goes down.
But anyway, he's now mine to do with what I can. I think he'll be fine. I went out and gave him about a quart of colostrum. It took him about 2 seconds to figure out the bottle and suck it down! Then I waited until I had another quart thawed out, maybe an hour, and he ate half of that and collapsed into a heap.
My question now is how much to feed him of the colostrum I have. Once he's had enough colostrum, I'll figure out how to put him on Emma at least part time. She's already got one foster and milking for the house, so have to ration everybody until Olivia calves.
We'll be gone most of the day tomorrow for Easter, but he could have one small early bottle and a late morning bottle to hold him until we get back.
So what amounts should I be feeding him, how often? I've never bottle fed a calf this much, usually just put them straight onto the cow.
Shawn
My neighbor called and had a brockle faced calf born (pulled) to a heifer and she wants nothing to do with him. So I brought him home. He was just born this afternoon, so I know I got him soon enough, colostrum wise. He was almost dried off, but not quite. The sun is bright and warm today and he was laying in the sun.
His head and front feet are very swollen. Poor baby's head was so swollen he looks like a rabbit! He had some blood in his mouth. But his teeth are really big. I think he must have been way overdue. His front feet are knuckled under, but I figure that will sort itself out when the swelling goes down.
But anyway, he's now mine to do with what I can. I think he'll be fine. I went out and gave him about a quart of colostrum. It took him about 2 seconds to figure out the bottle and suck it down! Then I waited until I had another quart thawed out, maybe an hour, and he ate half of that and collapsed into a heap.
My question now is how much to feed him of the colostrum I have. Once he's had enough colostrum, I'll figure out how to put him on Emma at least part time. She's already got one foster and milking for the house, so have to ration everybody until Olivia calves.
We'll be gone most of the day tomorrow for Easter, but he could have one small early bottle and a late morning bottle to hold him until we get back.
So what amounts should I be feeding him, how often? I've never bottle fed a calf this much, usually just put them straight onto the cow.
Shawn